Eastbourne Beaches in Premier League
Eastbourne has bagged two of the first ever Quality Coast beach awards, marking the resorts beaches amongst the premier league in the UK.
The new awards, which replace the old Seaside Award system, identify the UK’s cleanest beaches and best facilities, with Eastbourne winning in two different categories. The awards supplement the resorts European Blue Flag award, which also shows that Eastbourne meets the strict EU directives on water quality and provision of facilities.

Eastbourne Borough Council Director for Economy, Tourism & Environment, Norman Kinnish said “I am delighted that our first class seafront has been recognised by these awards. The new guidelines are pretty stringent but we always maintain and manage our seafront to high standards, from daily beach cleaning to family friendly facilities, such as Kidzone wristbands and sun loungers with parasols.”

The new awards in particular give greater recognition to the value of beaches off the beaten track which meet all EU directives for water quality, but as a natural undeveloped environment, do not have the same level of facilities as many resort beaches.

Picturesque Holywell wins under the category of ‘Away From it All’, whereas the vast array of facilities on Pier to Wish Tower beaches tick all of the boxes for ‘Fun in the Sea’.

The Quality Coast flag is a mark of excellence in achieving clean seas and beaches, good access, high standards of maintenance and the provision of safety measures such as lifeguards. Run by Encams, the environmental charity behind the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, it replaces the Seaside Award system, giving greater recognition to the diversity of Britain’s coastline.

Alan Woods, Chief Executive of ENCAMS which runs the Quality Coast Award said: “The traditional seaside experience of building sandcastles and snacking on ice cream is still favoured by many. But it is just one of the reasons why people go to the coast; others use the beach as a place to walk their dogs or get a breath of fresh air whatever the weather.